BY ADAM BERMUDEZ and Jeremy Walsh
A beloved Jackson Heights teacher stricken with terminal cancer realized her dream just one day before she died.
Alma Devone, 52, who taught at IS 145, got her master's degree from Touro College in a bedside ceremony at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx May 1. She died 12 hours later on May 2.
Surrounded by friends, family and colleagues, Devone shared less than 20 minutes with them before going for another round of treatment.
Her principal, Dolores Beckham, named Devone teacher of the year, bringing the honoree to the verge of tears. Beckham also gave Devone a corsage on behalf of the school's teachers and students.
“She has touched countless lives with everything she has done with her strength, beauty, grace and dignity,” Beckham said. “Thank you for all you've done for IS 145.”
Dr. Robert Kaplan, Devone's oncologist, added, “I've never met a stronger, better person my entire life.”
Through her oxygen mask, Devone faintly uttered, “I love you so much, thank you,” to her friends, family and colleagues.
“Alma has been a gift to us,” said Dr. Michael Brescia, Calvary's executive medical director. “She has given us far more than we have given her.”
Devone spent approximately two weeks at Calvary after learning her prognosis in Queens.
Adam Dorfman, a nurse manager at New York Hospital Queens, said Devone was first admitted last month for routine treatment of her lung cancer. He described her as “full of vim and vigor.”
“While she was being treated for lung cancer, she was also working as a teacher and going to school,” he said, noting he is also pursuing a master's degree. “I immediately connected with her.”
But doctors soon learned that Devone's cancer was untreatable. Dorfman said he helped her make arrangements for hospice care
“Most people would have been bitter, crying,” Dorfman said. “She took it like a trouper. She immediately realized the finality of her disease.”
When he realized that Devone was only six credits away from her degree, Dorfman got his superiors to convince Touro to present her with the diploma. He said the ceremony was originally planned for May 10, but had to be moved up when Devone's condition deteriorated.
Devone earned a master of science degree in Education and Special Education, with a focus on the middle childhood years.
Dr. Ronald Lehrer, associate education dean at Touro, conferred the diploma at the ceremony and recounted stories from professors and students who knew Devone.
“She won over everyone,” Lehrer said. “She was loved by all who took to her warmth and her love.”
Dorfman, who was also at the ceremony, agreed.
“Every once in a while a patient touches you,” he said. “And it was her. I've been doing this now for 16 years. I've had thousands of patients. Can I remember all their names? I wish I could, but I remember quite a few, and she is one of the ones that I will remember.”
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
